Zachary Quinto Says Star Trek 4 Script Still Being Written

Actor Zachary Quinto confirms that the screenplay for Paramount’s planned Star Trek 4is still in the process of being written. To say that it’s an interesting time for the Star Trek property right now would be an understatement. After all, not only is the franchise set to return to the small screen this year with CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Discovery but following the low-key reception that Star Trek Beyond was met with last year, the future of the franchise on the big screen has been stuck in a strangely mysterious state. All of the franchise’s main actors — including Zoe Saldana — have been quick to express their excitement about returning for Star Trek 4, but there has been a curious lack of any official announcements or updates in the time since Beyond‘s theatrical release.

The small update comes during a recent interview that Spock actor, Zachary Quinto, gave with ET Online. After lamenting about the lack of official announcements, Quinto said that as far as he knows, the script for the film is still being written and that he and the other actors are just waiting on an official call from Abrams and co.:

“If I had [an update] I would give it to you. I’m expecting [the news of a fourth movie] to be true, but it’s always this way. It’s like, ‘Yes, we’re going to do it!’ but then there’s always a process — writing a script being primary among them — and I know that’s what they’re working on now. I think we’re all really excited to go back and we’ll do that whenever the phone rings and it’s J.J. on the other end.”

Despite the surprisingly low amount of attention that it managed to stir up for itself last year, many Star Trek fans considered Beyond to be a welcome return to form for the film franchise, and as a heartfelt, effective homage to the original 1960s TV series. That film was directed by former Fast & Furious helmer, Justin Lin, and there’s no telling as of right now, if Lin will return at the helm of Star Trek 4, or if not, who will actually be taking his place as director on the fourth installment.

For his part, Chris Hemsworth had some positive words for the story of the film earlier this year, so it looks like his involvement in Star Trek 4 at least remains a possibility for the time being. Depending on just how long it takes for progress to be made on it, though, it’s entirely possible that the film’s cast members and its story could change and evolve as more and more time goes on. But for right now, it looks like the real question for Star Trek 4 is not whether it will happen, but when.

Star Trek 4 does not have an official release date yet. We will keep you posted on the latest information.